Cardinal Points

Issue date: 2/15/08 Section: News

Derek Stroh

The Plattsburgh State student arrested with an alleged cache of weapons on his way back to school has left campus.

Derek Stroh was suspended for two years, Stroh said and his mother confirmed in a phone conversation Wednesday. He cooperatively left his room Wednesday, Feb. 6 under the supervision of University Police officers.

Due to discipline confidentiality, school officials refused to comment on the specific case, but released the following statement:

"SUNY Plattsburgh considers campus safety a top priority. As with any incident involving a real or perceived threat, the college has taken steps to assess the situation and its potential impact on our community," said Brendan Kinney, college spokesperson.

In a letter to the editor of Cardinal Points, Stroh's mother, Diane Bland, wrote that re-admission was possible in the future.

"My son had no intention of causing harm," she wrote. "The campus community decided that Derek was the same prototype, shadowy figure who shot up the Virginia Tech campus. Derek became a clone of all of the caricatures of mentally ill individuals who simmer in silent rage for years and then kill people in shopping malls, schools and post offices."

Some readers left comments expressing their opinion, concerns and support on the Cardinal Points Web site following the article after his arrest.

"Does he keep guns in his dorm room too?" one student wrote.

"Since I read the story about you I was giving you the benefit of the doubt," one person wrote. "I just think people are nervous about everything that has been happening on campuses lately."

"I felt the need to respond here because I consider Derek to be one of my very best friends. He is one of the smartest, nicest people I have ever met. I would trust him with almost anything," another added.

Stroh wrote that he is not dangerous, but described himself as "eccentric, introverted, cynical, shy, and at the moment a little frustrated."

He also added that he competitively shoots and practices the discipline of sword fighting.

He wrote that some of the weapons were left in his car by mistake and that he meant to bring only the one rifle, which he planned to store with University Police.

Stroh was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon for allegedly possessing a sawed-off shotgun, State Police said.

He was pulled over on January 26 for speeding on the Northway. Police said he had a suspended license and his car was towed.

When troopers searched the vehicle they allegedly found a Russian M44 7.27 caliber rifle, an air pistol, two black machetes and a Remington 410 caliber shotgun, which was shortened to 11 ½ inches. Lawfully a shotgun barrel can't be less than 19 inches in length. Stroh wrote that the shotgun was 19 inches and dismantled.

Stroh's hearing yesterday in Lake George was adjourned until March 6.



Note: All comments can be viewed at cardinalpointsonline.com. The letter to the editor can be read on page A6 and in its entirety on our Web site as well.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools